September 24, 2016

Riders Win over Hamilton Tiger-Cats

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A week ago at Mosaic Stadium, the Riders were able to come up with a gritty 26-23 overtime victory. Tonight they were looking for back-to-back victories for the first time in over two years. 

The offensive fireworks were on display in the first half. Darian Durant had 276 yards through the air with 102 of them going to Caleb Holley.

Armanti Edwards caught his first CFL touchdown and Durant rushed for a score to go along with a Tyler Crapigna field goal for the 17-10 lead at the half. 

It could have been a totally different story when, on a 1st and goal play, Mitchell Gale was stripped of the football and Adrian Tracy went 107 yards the other way for what looked like a 17-10 Hamilton lead. After further review, it was deemed Gale’s knee was down and on the next play, Durant plunged it in from a yard out.

The second half…the offence dried up on both sides.

The Riders got a scare when former Rider, John Chick took down Darian Durant on an incomplete pass. Durant was down on the field for a couple of minutes and then sat the remainder of the game because of the CFL concussion protocol.

Hamilton did most of the scoring with Brett Maher single on a missed 52-yard field goal and Jeremiah Massoli added the lone touchdown on a 21 yard run on a second and short play for the 18-18 lead with just over three-minutes left in the game. 

Mitchell Gale then came up large in clutch time. He led the Rider offence on a 12-play, 61-yard drive to set up a game winning, 27-yard Tyler Crapigna field goal for the 20-18 victory.

This is the first time the Riders have won two in a row since the Labour Day Classic and the Labour Day rematch in September, 2014. 

The Riders will now have the week off with their second bye of the season as they will now prepare for a two-game road trip in Ontario.

Next action is Friday, October 7th in Ottawa against the REDBLACKS.

 

Rider Leaders

Passing: Darian Durant 23/31, 326yds, 1TD, 118.5QBR

Receiving: Caleb Holley 8/110

Rushing: Curtis Steele 9/45

Defence: Ed Gainey 2 Tackles, 1 Interception, 1 Special Teams Tackle